B. Scott

The accused responded to an online escort advertisement placed by an undercover police officer posing as a sex worker.

During text communications the officer disclosed that the escort was under 18, yet the accused negotiated sexual acts, price, and arranged a meeting at a hotel while bringing cash and a drink requested in the messages.

The accused testified that his intention was only to conduct research for a book about self-esteem and sex trade workers and that he suffered from erectile dysfunction.

The court rejected the accused’s explanation as not credible, finding the communications and conduct demonstrated a clear sexual purpose.

The accused was convicted of child luring under s.172.1(2) and communicating to obtain sexual services from a person under 18 under s.286.1(2), while the sexual exploitation count under s.153 was dismissed.

The applicants, facing multiple fraud-related charges, applied under section 523(2) of the Criminal Code to vacate their pre-trial detention orders.

They argued that new proposed sureties constituted a material change in circumstances justifying release.

The court dismissed the applications, finding that the applicants failed to demonstrate a material change in the strength of the Crown's case, and that the newly proposed sureties were unsuitable to supervise the applicants.